Johnson moving on after memorable Rays run

Dan and Holly Johnson welcomed their daughter, Ellison, into the world Dec. 13.

"We've been a little bit busy with her," Johnson said.

This offseason Johnson also started a home renovation business and a snow plowing business.

"We've been busy with the renovations," Johnson said. "Not so busy with the snow plowing, because it hasn't been snowing here."

"Here" being Ham Lake, Minn., where Tuesday's highs reached into the 50s.

One other activity kept Johnson busy during these last few months: monitoring what the Tampa Bay Rays were doing at designated hitter and first base.

The back-to-back signings of Luke Scott and Carlos Peña brought an end to Johnson's days as Tampa Bay's home run-hitting hero.

He signed a minor-league contract Wednesday with the White Sox that came with an invite to major league spring training.

"We'll see what the future holds there," Johnson said Wednesday.

Johnson's last swing in a Tampa Bay uniform will live forever in the hearts of Rays fan.

It came during the ninth inning of the final game of the regular season and produced a heart-stopping two-strike, two-out home run down the right field line that tied the score with the Yankees at 7-7 and sent the game into extra innings. Evan Longoria's 12th inning home run gave the Rays an 8-7 victory and the American League wild-card.

That home run, only Johnson's second of the season, rivaled the pinch-hit, solo home run he hit off Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon in September 2008 (his first at-bat as a Ray), the one that tied the score and started a Rays rally than enabled them to stay in first place.

Rays fans can debate which home run was bigger.

"There's a lot of memories there," Johnson said.

The Rays and Johnson parted ways in November when Johnson refused an assignment to Triple-A Durham. He had spent most of the season with the Bulls, having lost the first base job in mid-May after batting .115 with one home run in 25 games.

An injured right wrist was to blame, Johnson said. He was struck there by a pitch during a mid-April series with the Twins and was never the same. The injury prevented Johnson from holding on to the bat during his entire swing and left him trying to slap at the ball instead of drive it.

The wrist gradually improved over the summer, and Johnson batted .273 for the Bulls with 13 home runs and 52 RBIs.

He was recalled Sept. 13 to give Rays manager Joe Maddon a left-handed power bat off the bench. His lone hit since his recall – since April 27 – was that home run on the final day of the regular season.

Johnson's agent, Bobby Barad, said several teams expressed interest in Johnson this offseason. Though coming off a season plagued by the wrist injury, the offers were minor-league contracts with invites to spring training.

Barad said a few National League teams inquired.

So did the Rays, who made a priority this winter of upgrading two positions: DH and first base.

"One of the reasons Dan didn't sign was he was watching what (the Rays) were doing," Barad said. "He loved Tampa (Bay) and if there was an opportunity there, he certainly would have been very excited. Once they signed a couple of guys, clearly, the opportunity wouldn't be there."

Johnson said he knew his time with Tampa Bay was over as soon as Peña signed.

Confident he could help the Rays contend this season, Johnson said he doesn't have any resentment toward his now former team.

"It's a business," Johnson said. "Obviously I had some great times with the Rays, but this is how it went down. I guess the situation there, they're going one way so I have to move on."

Johnson knows a season that produced a .119 average, two home runs and four RBIs is not one that will earn another million-dollar contract. He knows he had a great opportunity in 2011, beginning the year as the starting first baseman, and let it slip away because of an injury.

Still, Johnson has another chance.

"I've had an unorthodox career," he said. "Why should it be any different now? I'll just have to do it all over again (with the White Sox)."

Johnson said he began hitting in December and said his wrist is fine.

"I have to go there and prove that I'm healthy," Johnson said. "I have to take it day-to-day, but I'm looking to make the team. You don't play this game to shoot low. I'm going in there to shoot for the stars."

The White Sox visit Tropicana Field on May 28-30.